Sleights & the Esk Valley – 9 miles

NEW WALK!! Our walk commences at Sleights train station (a very small affair) and our outward leg towards Grosmont is largely following an ancient walkway through the Esk Valley. On reaching Grosmont’s steam railway station, we will have our lunch break.
Then we embark on the most challenging part of the walk, a steep climb out of Grosmont up surfaced roads (1.7kms) to reach a moorland track, which affords us grand views towards Whitby & the coastline. The track we are following brings us back over to the A169 at Blue Bank, which we then cross to take a fairly gentle descent, partially down a bracken path before picking up a road that takes a steep, twisting route down to the valley bottom, where we pick up the babbling Iburndale Beck, which we follow back to our start point via a series of stepping stones & bridges! One gate to clamber over.

Terrain: quiet roads, ancient trods, field crossings, woodland & riverside trails and some lovely views.

The walk will be led at a steady pace: not too fast, not too slow. Please be ready to start walking at the advertised time.

Walk fee: £3. No dogs please. Bring packed lunch/drink/snacks with you.

Directions: the village of Sleights is on the A169 between Pickering & Whitby. If travelling north, you will enter Sleights via the steep hill known as Blue Bank. Continue along the main road to the other end of the village and look out for the right-hand sign to the station.

Start point/Parking: we will meet on the station platform at Sleights train station (no toilets). Postcode is YO22 5AA. As you come off the A169, there is a small car park on your left-hand side and various places to park on the roadside.

Toilets: if you require the loo en route, as you get towards the bottom of the steep hill into Sleights, take a left and there is a small toilet block just off the junction.

Car sharing is highly recommended for this one.

After-walk refreshment: due to limited parking at the local pub in Sleights, we will patronise the Fox & Rabbit Inn, which will be on the return route home for the majority of people. The pub is located on the A169 between Sleights & Pickering on a wide bend and at the junction with a road that leads to Thornton Dale. The car park can be accessed from the main road or the side road and there’s an overflow car park off the main one as well.

I have no formal walk leader or first-aid qualifications and the Group does not have insurance. When you RSVP for any event, you accept that you remain responsible for your own safety at all times. You are required to respect the walk leader and be mindful of the safety of others. Please keep to the pace of the group and don’t go off ahead even if you think you know the route.